The first news that greeted us for the New Year of 2008 is that there will be price increases for most commodities and services. First, the price hike on taxi fares, then the price increase for sundry goods. The latest now is that prices for all CNY goodies will be at least 30% higher than last year. Last check I did for a 1Kg pack of Bakwa from Lim Chee Guan cost S$54....and we are still a good 3 weeks away from CNY.
My sister told me that we will be having a steamboat feast for reunion dinner this year. The traditional feast of Shark Fins Soup, Abalone and Prawns among the rest seems to have been taken off the menu, for obvious reasons. I am totally in agreement with her. With the prices moving steadily upwards, it doesn't make economical sense to spend unneccessarily. After all, it is meant as a time for the family to come together to celebrate the coming new year...never mind what is on the table, right?
While in Johore Bahru on business, I picked up 2 boxes of love letters to try out. The price is half of what you will pay in Singapore. My wife told me the taste is not as good. However, 2 days later, there is only half a box left. I think the strategy to buy from JB is worth a second look ( Maybe Malacca?)
I wonder what the family will say if I tell them they will be getting less in their "Ang Pow" this year....
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Are You Jesus?
Received an email from a friend who relates a story of a blind girl selling apples along the street. Her cart was accidentally knocked over and apples were all over the floor. A good samaritan came to help and set everything up for her including buying all the battered and bruised apples. When he handled over the money to her and started to leave, she asked, " Are you Jesus?" It left him with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"
Having read this, I recalled a similar message in today's devotion on Genesis 37:36; 39:1-6.
"The sovereign God of Israel was intimately involved in Joseph's life. He guided him. He gave him facility in the Egyptian language. On top of all that, he gave him favor in the eyes of Potiphar. Clearly, God was the secret of Joseph's success. Luck had nothing to do with it.
Joseph didn't have to tell Potiphar that the Lord was with him; Potiphar could see it for himself. "Now his master saw that the LORD was with him" (v. 3). Furthermore, Joseph didn't use his spirituality as a manipulative tool to get benefits from his boss. Simply because the Lord caused all that Joseph did to prosper, Joseph found favor in his sight. Notice, it doesn't say that Joseph asked favors from Potiphar; he found favor with Potiphar."
Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. Like Joseph, we should reflect who we are in Christ Jesus that people will see less of us and more of Him.
Having read this, I recalled a similar message in today's devotion on Genesis 37:36; 39:1-6.
"The sovereign God of Israel was intimately involved in Joseph's life. He guided him. He gave him facility in the Egyptian language. On top of all that, he gave him favor in the eyes of Potiphar. Clearly, God was the secret of Joseph's success. Luck had nothing to do with it.
Joseph didn't have to tell Potiphar that the Lord was with him; Potiphar could see it for himself. "Now his master saw that the LORD was with him" (v. 3). Furthermore, Joseph didn't use his spirituality as a manipulative tool to get benefits from his boss. Simply because the Lord caused all that Joseph did to prosper, Joseph found favor in his sight. Notice, it doesn't say that Joseph asked favors from Potiphar; he found favor with Potiphar."
Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. Like Joseph, we should reflect who we are in Christ Jesus that people will see less of us and more of Him.
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